ANI 101 Animation for Non-Majors
Summary
ANI 101 - Animation for Non-Majors Fall 2015
Mondays and Wednesdays ? 1:30 ? 3:00 Room 206
Instructor: Lisa Barcy
lbarcy@cdm.depaul.edu 312-362-5982
Office Hours:, M,W, - 10 - 11:45, Fridays by appointment
Room: 502
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Course Description As an introduction to the art of animation this course will cover the materials and programs required to create convincing animated movement as well as methods for the production of individual creative content. The material will be covered through weekly assignments, lectures, demonstrations, critiques and screenings of relevant films culminating in a 20-30 second (minimum) final project.
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Liberal Studies Arts and Literature Domain
Description ANI 101 is included in the Liberal Studies program as a course with credit in the Arts and Literature Domain. Courses in the Arts and Literature Domain ask students to extend their knowledge and experience of the arts by developing their critical and reflective abilities. In these courses, students interpret and analyze particular creative works, investigate the relations of form and meaning, and through critical and/or creative activity to come to experience art with greater openness, insight, and enjoyment. These courses focus on works of literature, art, theatre, or music as such, though the process of analysis may also include social and cultural issues. Students who take course in this domain choose three courses from such choices as literature, the visual arts, media arts, music, and theater. No more than two courses can be chosen from one department or program.
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Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the basic principles of animation.
2. Students will complete a critical analysis paper comparing and contrasting one feature film to its literary source, reflecting on the director?s use of form and content as a means of discussing or interpreting work.
3. Through the animation projects, students will gain exposure to the creative process and decision-making that goes into creating animated works.
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Attendance is mandatory as many of these animation techniques build upon one another. Three or more absences will result in a significant grade reduction or a failing grade.
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Tardiness is defined as not in the classroom when attendance is called or departing before the class has been formally dismissed by the instructor. Tardiness that exceeds thirty minutes will be counted as an absence. TWO late arrivals or early departures, or a combination of both, are counted as one absence. If you arrive late for class, it is your responsibility to make sure that you have been marked tardy rather than absent.
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Class Work:
This class will require quite a bit of work on the computer using Flash, Dragonframe, Photoshop and After Effects.
In order to complete all of the digital art production and animation, students will have to commit to a considerable amount of time outside of class to work on projects. Even though this is a class for non-majors, animation involves a lot of labor and there?s no way around it. (You should see what we make the majors do.)
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Writing:
Film Analysis Writing: The course also requires 3 short papers (approx. 500 words, minimum, per paper) where you will respond to, deconstruct and analyze short films that are screened throughout the quarter.? There is a lot of choice on your part as to which film you can write about, and I will specify in class if a particular film should not be written about. You must write about a historical film screened in class. Please refer to the Documents section of D2L for guidelines.
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Texts
Required Text: Animation Cinema Workshop ? Robi Engler
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GRADE BREAKDOWN
3 Film Analysis Papers ? 15%
Reading Questions (3) ? 15%
Metamorphosis ? 10%
Cycles in Flash ? 10%
Ball bounce/ Pendulum ? 10%
Photoshop Puppet ? 5%
After Effects Rigged Puppet Animation 15%
Final ? Stop Motion Animation ? 20%
Total:? 100%
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Things I will consider when grading:
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While effort counts for a lot, it must be visibly evident in the completed work. Attention to detail, understanding of technical or thematic concepts, submission of correct file formats on the due date, willingness to challenge oneself, class participation in discussions, and thoughtful analysis of films screened are all taken into account.
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Revisions:
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If you score a C- or less on any assignment, written or otherwise, you are encouraged to revise it after the first critique for the chance at a better grade.? The better grade is not guaranteed, only if improvement is significant.? The revision must be submitted no later than two weeks after the first grade was given.? Be sure to email me and tell me in class that you?ve submitted a revision.? D2L is not set up to automatically tell me these things so unless you let me know, I won?t know to go looking for it.? And don?t be shy about reminding me:? There?s always a boatload of grading going on so I do miss one sometimes!? I will do my best to look at and grade revisions in a timely fashion.
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Prerequisites
NONE.
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Things you need to bring to class each week:
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-A lot of enthusiasm and a good work ethic
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-All of your assignments, works-in-progress, files, art materials as needed. Not showing up with your work on a studio day will leave you with nothing to do and will negatively affect your grade.
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-A sense of humor and the ability to be flexible and respond positively to constructive critique.
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-Patience.? Lots and lots of patience.
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THE SCHEDULE
(subject to adjustment as needed. Be sure to check D2L for any changes.)
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WEEK 1?? Jan. 2, 4
Intro to the course, projects, facilities and expectations. Animation fundamentals. The joys of morphing. View films.
Key to key vs. animation ?straight ahead?, Morphs, Cycles, Ease in and Out
Discuss research paper and reading list, reading questions.
ASSIGNMENT:Metamorphosis ? first half of drawings due Monday. Be sure to bring them to class along with drawing materials. See details on D2L
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Week 2? ??Jan. 9, 11
Bring in Morph drawings and be ready to work in class. You should be half way through by now.
DISCUSS: Paths, glitches to avoid, options for art-working your drawings. Introduction to Dragonframe software and sign-up procedures.
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ASSIGNMENT: Complete Metamorphosis drawings and ?artwork? them (ink, or color or both) for Wednesday. We will begin shooting them in class.
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Week 3 ??Jan. 16, 18
No class Monday the 16th ? MLK Day
Reading Questions #1
Metamorphosis Due Wednesday. View in class and critique. Intro to Adobe Animate (formerly Flash).
DISCUSS: cycles, arcs and motion paths, squash and stretch, anticipation and ?follow thru?. Character acting in animation. Anticipation. action, follow-through.
ASSIGNMENT: Two animated cycles with timing nuance in Animate, simple (12 frames) and complex (varies, but roughly 18 ? 24).
Week 4 ???Jan. 23, 25
Film Analysis #1 due this week
Continue working on cycles.
In class group project ? pixilation and accumulative drawing.
More acting for animators ? reactions. Using video reference, exaggeration
ASSIGNMENT: Complete animation cycles and post Quicktime to D2L. DO NOT POST YOUR ADOBE ANIMATE FILE. POST A QUICKTIME
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Week 5 ???Jan. 30, Feb.1
Reading Questions #2 due this week
View Cycles
Intro to Photoshop and After Effects.? Pendulum and ball bounce.
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ASSIGNMENT: Create two separate files in Photoshop, one ball, and one pendulum for Wednesday. Complete first attempt at ball bounce for Wednesday.
Lab time on Wednesday. Bring all your files to class so you can work in the lab.
Complete ball bounce and pendulum for Monday. Export both to Quicktime and post to D2L.
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Week 6? ??Feb. 6, 8
Film Analysis #2 due this week
View Ball bounces and Pendulums and critique. Intro to Photoshop. Creating puppets from found images and rigging in After Effects.
ASSIGNMENT: Create a collaged puppet in Photoshop. Your character?s body must be in profile and not facing forward, or it won?t work. Must be bi-pedal, and have arms. Other moveable parts are optional.
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Week 7 ???Feb. 13, 15
Reading Questions #3 due this week
Importing your character into After Effects and making it walk. We will have lab time this week to work on these so be sure to bring all your files to class each day.
ASSIGNMENT: Have your character walk at least four steps, pause, then interact with an object of your choice. (approx. 8-12 seconds, may vary a little)
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Week 8 ???Feb. 20, 22
Film Analysis #3 due this week
INTRO TO FINAL PROJECT
Final Puppet Walks Due today. View and critique Revise if needed.
DISCUSS: Storyboarding and concept development
Intro to 2D stop-motion animation and Dragonframe software, camera settings, varied frame rates, arcs, pauses.
ASSIGNMENT: Create a storyboard for your final project. For details on requirements see the assignment on D2L
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Week 9 ???Feb. 27, March 1
View storyboards, work on revisions.
More stop-motion techniques, replacements, sculpting techniques and alternate materials. Book time for your final shoots.
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Week 10? ??March 6, 8
Continue working on elements for final.
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Week 11 ??
FINAL CRITIQUE ? March 15, 2017, from 11:30 AM to 1:45
ATTENDANCE MANDATORY ? NO LATE PROJECTS ACCEPTED.
Final Critique ? All projects must be finished, exported to Quicktime, and uploaded to the class Vimeo Page AND D2L, and not still sitting in a program or it will be considered incomplete.? Do not be late!? We will watch animation, give honest and thoughtful critiques.
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AND NOW, THE FINE PRINT
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School policies:
Changes to Syllabus
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Online Course Evaluations
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student?s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
Academic Policies
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students with Disabilities
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296